Entertainment Permits Granted To Pittsfield Establishments

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A couple well-established businesses received their first entertainment licenses on Monday, after operating without one for years.
 
The operators of the Beacon Cinema and the Colonial Theatre was both granted entertainment permits from the Licensing Board after both said they were unaware they needed one. The city informed the owners of the need for the permit earlier this year.
 
The Beacon Cinema opened in 2009 and the Colonial reopened in 2006, after a massive renovation.
 
The board also granted an entertainment license to the owners of Hotel On North, a new boutique hotel under construction on North Street. Bruce Finn, CEO of Main Street Hospitality, said the hotel will feature music in the restaurant and an event space upstairs will be used for weddings and other gatherings.
 
"We put in every possible scenario," Finn told the board.
 
The board also granted Shanti Hospitality, the company opening the Hilton Gardens on South Street, a pledge of a license to transfer the former liquor license of Pittsfield Entertainment. Attorney Thomas Hamel told the board that the owner has not yet named a manager but he will likely be back in less than a month with a name for the application. 
 
"We expect to be open sometime before Memorial Day weekend," Hamel said. "We can't ask for the license until the certificate of occupancy."
 
Also on Monday, the board gave IS183 Art School of the Berkshires the approval to accept wine donations for its annual gala, which will then be given to guests. The event will be at the Crowne Plaza and the wine will be given to those who attend for free, helping to raise money for the school. 
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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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